Suicidal behavior among chronic Vietnam theatre veterans with PTSD.
Suicidal behavior among Vietnam veterans with chronic Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was evaluated. Sixty chronic PTSD vets admitted to a Specialized PTSD Unit were divided into two groups based on the presence of suicidal behavior: 29 patients in a Suicide Group and 31 in a Non-suicide Group. Subjects were evaluated on symptoms, psychometric measures, military variables, adjustment factors, and pre-military parental patterns of discipline. Results showed that the Suicide Group possessed problems in paternal child-rearing patterns, current adjustment difficulties, and the PTSD symptoms of survival guilt and crying. In a regression analysis, paternal inconsistency of love, survivor guilt, and tendency to cry, in addition to age and sex, accounted for the significant variance of suicidal behavior.
Hyer
L
L
Veterans Administration Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia.
McCranie
E W
EW
Woods
M G
MG
Boudewyns
P A
PA
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010556:Personality Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014744:Vietnam; D000092864:Suicide Prevention